International giving is a critical responsibility for all American citizens. Our footprint on the world is very large and we must be sure our actions are positive and highly visible to all. As a Board member of The Resource Foundation for the past 15 years, I am assured that these goals are being met as every project and every agency is carefully selected to ensure maximum impact and accountability.

My first trip to Chile was a business trip during which I was attempting to sell some of my products to LanChile Airlines. I instantly fell in love with Chile and the Chilean people who were, and continue to be, gracious and generous in all of our dealings. After a couple of business visits, I met Mary Anne Muller, the Executive Director of Fundación Origen, and I was invited to see more than just the business face of Chile. Origen had just created an agro-ecological high school for at-risk youth, which employed an integral approach that addressed youth’s academic and personal development, encouraged respect for the environment, helped its graduates find jobs and involved the families and the community in its work. I was fascinated by their work and wanted to help, so Mary Ann recommended I make my donation through The Resource Foundation. That was over fifteen years ago.

Today, I am still captivated by Origen’s mission and find the school’s resourcefulness, creativity and independence so compelling and completely in keeping with the goals of The Resource Foundation and its relationships with its affiliates. Since I am fortunate enough to continue to work with the wine industry of Chile, I continue to make regular visits to the school and am able to witness the positive impact of The Resource Foundation first hand.

As an individual, not a government or a major foundation, I know that I would like the money that I donate to have the greatest possible impact. I can see where every cent goes at Origen. A donation to them to buy a bee or a goat, actually buys a bee or a goat. The same efficiencies are present at The Resource Foundation, which operates so carefully; making every dollar have the maximum impact at each of its agencies. As a Board member, it is very easy to sell the story of The Resource Foundation and Origen to friends and donors. They hear the passion in my voice and see that I am completely comfortable with how I am spending my money. It is obvious that many of you share my passion and believe that The Resource Foundation delivers for its donors as many, many of us are repeat donors and our family has grown considerably over the years.

Additionally, the diversity of the organizations and programs that The Resource Foundation funds is extensive. It funds programs related to primary health care, education, housing, potable water, microenterprise, environmental concerns and sustainable agriculture, just to name a few. Many of the agencies that The Resource Foundation supports are either lead by women or primarily target women and children; a feature that I particularly like since it is consistent with other funding work I do in the area of women’s leadership. It is my firm belief that we must give women a seat at the table in this world if we are ever going to find a way to manage our limited resources and find peace.

Education, access to clean water, a living wage, etc. are all issues of security in our world and The Resource Foundation is giving a hand-up to its affiliates and those individuals that the affiliates serve, to assist them in taking their rightful seat at the table.